[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6594607,"mediaKeyId","3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a","parentId",3175812,"title","Council declares house at Regional Park surplus and authorizes sale with $215,000 minimum bid","audioSeconds",458,"startMs",5303000,"endMs",5761000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a&start=5303&end=5761","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a/thumbnail_5303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594607/Athens/McMinn-County/Tennessee/Council-declares-house-at-Regional-Park-surplus-and-authorizes-sale-with-215000-minimum-bid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594607-be54ff5d8c844acb6dbca1abcdb3711e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160104&Signature=bu4J7JTkQULIH5QEMS0J~nAQhlLj36YKQeMEVDFFJrr7oUmhh009Fm3Q0CCIjoiEx2DRGZXn20FBnoAmyfxfe8Fjo6q6BKiy35LiMXAShRIdq5yEaiMwqlZiRs10HdJea~vT5~dmsygf4SjabON3cqtbTsKm5he8cot-xyt5SfTZZJlZ0MFFVZLVRzalKXsN6zHejeH7AYlD3msdDlJvbUw1yT~~t~BcwjymFukMz9teWG-lFWn0oTxpbMHPrK5aAUOjoi-K3u5ZyKwG9hIc5nNUiyIHP42q62cjezGshS~8IOOfNylyyhwV5yCsVwDglg-o88mYXSZZr~TrecgJ1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens, TN","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Athens City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring a 1.18-acre parcel and a 2,200-square-foot house located at Regional Park as surplus city property and authorized staff to dispose of the property by competitive sealed bid or public auction.

City Manager Randy Caldwell told the council the city acquired about 15 acres to expand Regional Park in 2024; the parcel fronting Decatur Pike contains a 1991-built, 2,200-square-foot house that the city does not need. The staff-recommended process is sale by advertised competitive sealed bid or public auction. The manager and council discussed a recommended minimum bid tied to the city’s current appraisal value.

Council considered a motion to accept the resolution with a minimum bid set at the city appraisal of $215,000 (the manager noted a prior purchase price for the larger tract had been higher). The council voted unanimously in favor: Dugan Aye; Pelley Aye; Sherlund Aye; Vice Mayor Curtis Aye; Mayor Larry Eaton Aye.

Council members discussed rezoning and appraisal issues. City staff and the city attorney explained that the parcel is currently zoned B-3 (intensive business); rezoning to residential would require an application and public process and could change the appraised value. Several council members suggested leaving zoning unchanged and proceeding with a commercial-appraisal-based minimum bid; others suggested an owner purchaser could pursue rezoning after purchase.

Ending: Council declared the lot surplus, authorized staff to advertise the property for sale with a minimum bid not less than the city’s $215,000 appraisal (commercial appraisal), and instructed the city attorney to prepare transfer documents should the property sell. The council directed staff to complete the required notice and bidding process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Session - 04/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously declared a 1.18-acre parcel and a 2,200-square-foot house at Regional Park as surplus and authorized staff to dispose of the property via competitive sealed bid or public auction with a minimum bid not less than the city appraisal of $215,000.","taxTitle","Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee","taxId",62244,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594611,"Council votes to raise local liquor-store cap from 2 to 3; ordinance moves to second reading",796,4497000,5293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a&start=4497&end=5293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a/thumbnail_4497000.jpg","/articles/6594611/Athens/McMinn-County/Tennessee/Council-votes-to-raise-local-liquor-store-cap-from-2-to-3-ordinance-moves-to-second-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594611-dc591f7695bb02ca35d66ded4021e716/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160105&Signature=SrtzuUSl8WR059lXX~a9KrgxxLYqTAfYSIkmC3I9zXPDGQ2BbMe9qy~yJ1r9JajnWVdDJOB6vmzPjH1dtmv3L8wDsH2G3Wht~mAitgPLh2b9uFu9hyeFmJQ38RvrkT9OXC4zdiyeFk7kORuD4ncnjU810Ks9Gh6vP289pwb9~QNVyjUQOf3Iy4OTITqZyYXmybWOkJRuNTvo9f5FS52Y22Oct7MMeIbtQSVjo0zlXrJeAb8nRkWfxiCVcdaGirGRp2tfQnVJuAURMAib~OjMhVXeiykakDfvfUbA9VMx1NTQ5y1UuVOgiu8xsQKgwhJ3Lyc7yRFBapdJWCtA~uJnCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council voted to approve on first reading an ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 2 of the Athens City Code to increase the numerical cap on local liquor-store privilege licenses from 2 to 3.

Council members John Dugan, Jake Pelley, Vice Mayor Curtis and Mayor Larry Eaton recorded votes in favor; Council member Charlene Sherlund voted no. The roll call on the first reading recorded: Dugan Aye; Pelley Aye; Sherlund No; Vice Mayor Curtis Aye; Mayor Eaton Aye.

Supporters framed the change as a free-market decision that could retain local tax revenue and better serve residents who currently drive outside the city for some purchases. One council member said the city’s liquor taxes and related revenues are higher than some neighboring jurisdictions and added that modestly expanding the cap could reduce out-of-town spending.

Opponents said the city and nearby towns already have multiple liquor retailers and that Athens’s population (roughly 15,000–16,000, as cited by a council member during the discussion) does not need additional package stores. “There is a minimum of 18 liquor stores in a 30–35 mile radius of Athens,” Council member Sherlund said, arguing that “2 is enough.”

The city attorney clarified the administrative process: if council increases the cap there will be an available license and the city will consider complete applications in the order they are received; the city’s licensing process is not a lottery.

Ending: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for a second reading next month. Council members discussed procedural details for vetting any applicant and noted that zoning and application vetting would remain part of the licensing process.","The council voted in favor of a first reading that increases the city code limit on the number of local liquor store privilege licenses from two to three. Council members cited free-market principles and potential tax revenue; opponents cited a sufficient number of existing retailers and community character concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594616,"Council approves $95,000 settlement in Robert Roberts LLC lawsuit after public criticism",185,4215000,4400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a&start=4215&end=4400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a/thumbnail_4215000.jpg","/articles/6594616/Athens/McMinn-County/Tennessee/Council-approves-95000-settlement-in-Robert-Roberts-LLC-lawsuit-after-public-criticism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594616-5606291be584b1b99eca894dcdc00e48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160105&Signature=jtwzC5THD5eZFmEv-lDv~in5TwJ5KsqW6f1-ShgGEqgSsfRb-0b5zj1dk8T7158ohrzym~ZQs7m8KKEeSt1Ev4O7KTEC3jkJeKKLuu9sBh9Z~yuSwJLN4CxVNKFNkE10Gs6NvZixLO8iK5Jjg36MQmlhDeGzBZfnUrerAPgUw9Zbqi3~53QY-NWFyG~TeGCGVv2crmdEXPyxMNiihh20sDUwG899A4hyXHhT9PsOX3Ramynq4UDlvgF1F3M1Mcpoa06Wfl61xmw8jFW~q2iTYp336n2Ccl8XaPQ41ja3fNPflIxRRx11ph7HarsDnw2Fzf2THyeK7Sz-84tBGW-How__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council voted to settle a pending Chancery Court lawsuit with Robert Roberts LLC for $95,000, payable to the plaintiff’s attorney, Timothy Gibbons of Chattanooga.

City Attorney (unnamed) told council that the case — filed in October 2023 — involves a contract dispute arising from work on the animal shelter and that due to transitions in city management and personnel the city faces additional risk and cost if the case goes to trial. “My recommendation is that the city council, as discussed in executive session, now put to vote a settlement in the amount of $95,000 payable to Robert Roberts through their attorney,” the city attorney said.

After discussion, the council voted with Council member John Dugan, Council member Jake Pelley, Vice Mayor Curtis and Mayor Larry Eaton supporting the settlement; Council member Charlene Sherlund voted no. The roll call recorded: Dugan Aye; Pelley Aye; Sherlund No; Vice Mayor Curtis Aye; Mayor Eaton Aye.

The motion followed public comment from Lynn Whiting, who criticized the city’s practice of settling lawsuits and said residents had been kept in the dark about the matter. “If the city was wrong, then why are we settling?…If you know what's wrong, it's wrong,” Whiting said during the citizens’ comment period. Another public commenter — Charlie Senn — addressed unrelated federal election legislation during the public-comment period.

Council members who supported the settlement framed the decision as a business judgment to avoid the higher costs and delays of litigation. Council member Merritt (speaker identified in transcript as supportive of settlement) said, “it can cost more to prove you were right,” and urged the city to “learn a lesson, we move on.”

The council did not discuss release language in detail on the public record; the city attorney said the payment would be handled through counsel and recommended the settlement as the most cost-effective outcome compared with continued litigation.

Ending: The council approved the settlement and directed staff and counsel to implement the agreement. The settlement closes the active litigation between the city and Robert Roberts LLC for the stated amount; any additional details of the settlement terms were not read into the minutes during the public portion of the meeting.","The Athens City Council approved a $95,000 settlement to Robert Roberts LLC over a disputed animal shelter contract after the city attorney recommended settlement to avoid higher trial costs; public commenters criticized the city for settling and raised questions about transparency.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594621,"Athens council authorizes architect to begin city hall annex planning amid debate over scope and cost",359,1977000,2336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a&start=1977&end=2336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3175812-cb696a457a8b18cea48e8d2327c1b96a/thumbnail_1977000.jpg","/articles/6594621/Athens/McMinn-County/Tennessee/Athens-council-authorizes-architect-to-begin-city-hall-annex-planning-amid-debate-over-scope-and-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594621-31ded1a1ffdea525e8ad42fc22320789/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160105&Signature=UJViMeQVg~oi4B6ku0ZVVuy2G-I3LO1ZYqzsaxccLzVwup8k5Dh6hlyqHgRL54Yl7cR9rlzuOtxDWCkYqxR5HYd3VqiujA8KD7M4t3~I6aicRpCUQOdrHIIHNW1rNyk3zBSyvraoiHUjBeH21g~cY7Jorp0k5HRK80hiF5Dey9K8Gz85kJ6WAYNJvzLd08~sPlWQJ~P4Uf3wMaL7bpUaqrq~ZDQkQOMBVXZhwiWUJEeXrz5USWFcOBt07aq9eFsNTKiRZ8YXxf9y5-RaavhMSgkCKUibTV6Sl1QUGe4hzv9mx3yq63o5lbQH2KCaemjiYZKIfCp99oDaF997VCr3Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council on April 29 authorized the city manager to engage Alan Hochul Architects to facilitate planning and produce refined design and cost estimates for a proposed City Hall annex and renovations to the existing City Hall.

The vote was 3 in favor, 2 opposed. Council member John Dugan, Vice Mayor Curtis and Mayor Larry Eaton voted to authorize the engagement; Council member Charlene Sherlund and Council member Jake Pelley voted no.

Council and staff said the city has discussed options for years and that the existing City Hall suffers from deferred maintenance and limited space. City Manager Randy Caldwell summarized problems staff identified: “the HVAC is not working properly. We have handicap accessibility issues, restroom issues, plumbing issues, electrical issues. We have no room for growth.” Caldwell presented a rough cost estimate prepared by staff that showed about $3,200,000 to build a new 6,000-square-foot annex on the City Hall site and roughly $4,100,000 to renovate the existing City Hall if done in tandem — a combined figure the manager described as about $7,300,000.

Proponents said bringing in an architect would allow staff, department heads and council to hold facilitated planning sessions and produce concrete plans for public review. “An architect can facilitate a meeting, throw out great ideas, shoot them down, slice and dice them. And then at the end of the planning session, we would have a good idea on how to proceed,” Caldwell said.

Opponents urged more internal planning before hiring an architect. Council member Sherlund said the council should first set dates for planning sessions, solicit specific ideas from departments, and return with clearer direction before asking an architect to start design work. “We need to look deeper into this issue of what really needs to be done,” she said, adding that rising construction costs and uncertainty about funding argue for more deliberate planning.

Several council members debated alternatives discussed in prior sessions, including moving Parks and Recreation to the regional park to free office space, renovating existing buildings, and reusing other downtown properties. Council members also repeatedly raised the point that the proposed annex could house the police station or other departments in the near term and that an annex-plus-renovation approach would create room for growth over 10–20 years.

After extensive discussion — including procedural motions to send the item to a work session and an unsuccessful amendment to delay — the council voted to proceed with engaging the architect for facilitated planning and design work.

The city manager said the architect engagement is intended to produce a clear, itemized plan and refined cost estimates that will return to council for decisions about phasing and funding. Caldwell told the council staff would include department-specific needs (police evidence storage, additional restrooms, HVAC replacement, ADA upgrades) in the facilitated sessions so the architect can translate those program needs into design and cost estimates.

The council did not approve construction funding; the action authorizes design and planning work only. Council members and the manager said any construction contract and any bonding or budgetary action would return to the council for separate approval.

Council members asked staff to schedule follow-up work sessions so that departmental needs and funding scenarios can be developed with public transparency.

Ending: Staff will proceed to engage the architect for planning and design work and return to council with the architect’s scope, refined cost estimates and a proposed schedule. The council’s direction does not commit the city to construction or to the $7.3 million estimate later cited by staff; those figures were presented as staff estimates for discussion.","The Athens City Council voted 3–2 to authorize the city manager to engage Alan Hochul Architects to develop design plans and refined estimates for a proposed city hall annex and renovations to existing City Hall, after a lengthy debate about costs, phasing and next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declares house at Regional Park surplus and authorizes sale with $215,000 minimum bid

Council votes to raise local liquor-store cap from 2 to 3; ordinance moves to second reading

Council approves $95,000 settlement in Robert Roberts LLC lawsuit after public criticism

Athens council authorizes architect to begin city hall annex planning amid debate over scope and cost